OKEECHOBEE COUNTY, Fla. — The WPTV First Alert Weather Team brought its "Storm Ready" Hurricane Preparedness Tour to Okeechobee Wednesday night, hosting a free community event at the Okeechobee Public Library ahead of the June 1 start of hurricane season.
WATCH BELOW: WPTV First Alert Hurricane Preparedness Tour stop in Okeechobee
First Alert meteorologists Kate Wentzel and Todd Wilson were live from the event, held at the Okeechobee County Library.
Wentzel led a hurricane presentation covering what residents should do before hurricane season, reminding attendees that complacency can be dangerous.
"It only takes 1 storm," she said.
Wentzel also emphasized that weather forecasting is guidance, not gospel, and stressed that Okeechobee faces unique risks despite not being on the coast.
"We live in a very vulnerable area for hurricanes," she said. "Okeechobee, you have your own evacuation zones because of Lake Okeechobee. While they aren't on the coast, they face the same risks."
She noted that during a recent storm, Okeechobee County recorded the strongest winds in the entire WPTV viewing area.
Hurricane hazards in Okeechobee
Wentzel outlined the primary hurricane hazards residents should prepare for, including storm surge, flooding, wind damage, and tornadoes. She noted that while storm surge is typically associated with coastal areas, Lake Okeechobee can also experience surge.
She used Hurricane Milton as a case study, describing it as one of the top 5 strongest low-pressure readings ever recorded in the Gulf prior to landfall. Milton underwent rapid intensification, strengthening from a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane with winds increasing by 92 mph in just 24 hours. It made landfall at Siesta Key with 120 mph winds.
"We didn't get the storm surge, but we did get the tornadoes," Wentzel said, noting that 22 tornadoes struck the area, including 3 rare EF-3 tornadoes in South Florida. Three of those tornadoes traveled more than 20 miles, making it Florida's largest tornado outbreak since 1998.
As for the upcoming season, forecasters are expecting a below-average hurricane season.
Local officials share preparedness advice
Okeechobee County Emergency Management Director Karen Kozac said the biggest mistake residents make is not being fully prepared and taking the threat too lightly.
"It's never too early to prepare," Fire Chief Justin Hazellief said, encouraging residents to complete tree trimming well before any storm approaches. He also noted that May is Hurricane Preparedness Month and that while hurricane season spans 6 months, Florida can see serious weather year-round.
County Extension Director and Livestock Agent Lauren Butler addressed the unique needs of Okeechobee County's rural community, advising livestock owners to stockpile feed, check fences, and move cattle more inland ahead of a storm.
Butler also warned against sheltering livestock in barns, saying those structures are not safe during a storm.
"Cows have the common sense to stay out of trouble," she said. "Keep them out of the barn and in the pasture."
For livestock owners who do not have more than an acre of land to keep animals safe, Butler said shelters for livestock are available.
Kozac urged all residents to know their evacuation zone, their evacuation route, and whether their home is in a flood zone. That information is available on the Okeechobee County website.
The American Red Cross was also represented at the event. Okeechobee Mayor Dowling was among those in attendance.
Additional preparedness tips
- Read your insurance policy and make sure it is up to date
- Document the condition of your home before a storm
- Generators and fuel are extremely important to have on hand
Become a Weather Spotter
Attendees had the opportunity to sign up to become a member of the WPTV First Alert Weather Spotter team, helping serve as the eyes and ears of the community. A current weather spotter in the audience also spoke about their experience.
Hurricane Expo coming to Okeechobee
Our Village Okeechobee and the American Red Cross are hosting Okeechobee's first-ever Hurricane Expo at Sutton Milk on Saturday, May 16. The free event will connect residents with resources to help them before and after a storm. Children's activities and kid-friendly hurricane preparedness presentations will also be available.
There are still 3 more stops on our 'Storm Ready' tour. Come see us!
TRACKING THE TROPICS: Hurricane Center | Hurricane Guide
